The effects of Low back pain educational programs on quality of life and physical disability among patients suffering from chronic low back pain with or without sciatica: a before-after study

The sciatica pain caused by a herniated lumbar disc, is one of the most expensive disorders for society in terms of quality of life and disability. This study aimed to explore the impact of educational programs on quality of life and disability in women with or without sciatica up to 6 months after intervention.
This is a semi experimental study that was carried out in Rheumatology Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. There were 27 eligible patients who suffering from chronic low back pain (including 14 patients with sciatica and 13 patients without sciatica) entered in the study. All participants divided into groups of 6 to 8 members and were provided with a four-hour training session of physiotherapy and psychology followed by telephone counseling. Roland-Morris Disability (RDQ) & Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QDS) questionnaires and SF-36 were completed at initial of the study and 6 months after intervention. Data were analyzed by paired t-test.
Findings: The findings of this study showed significant differences in QDS & RDQ and most of quality of life dimensions such as physical function, role emotional, role physical, mental health and bodily pain at 6 months after intervention in patients with sciatica pain(P It seems the educational program with telephone counseling has an important role in decreasing the disability and quality of life of women with low back pain specially who suffering from sciatica pain.